CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – They come in rechargeable and disposable versions, a variety of flavors, and contain different amounts of nicotine. Electronic cigarettes, or "e-cigs," are used by many people as either a smoking substitute or a way to quit smoking altogether.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate them as they do with tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco, but it does intend to release a proposal on regulation next month.

"While we can't really sell them as a method of quitting smoking, because we aren't certified in that area, they do satisfy peoples' needs for nicotine," said Harold Barnes, who works at ElectraCigz in Lindale Mall.

Barnes said they can help people give up actual cigarettes, because they can dial the nicotine up or down according to their level of dependence. The battery-powered devices deliver nicotine through water vapor.

Barnes said that overall, the vapor is less harmful than smoke, but respects the fact that it still contains trace amounts of nicotine when exhaled.